Wild Edibles - Central Valley California - Sierras

[vja4Him]

I would like to identify the wild plants I'm finding around our neighborhood, and learn which ones I can eat, how to prepare, which ones are good for medicine and tea.

Would greatly appreciate anyone who could help.

Also, I would like to find anyone interested on foraging hikes ....

[Rick]

Hey VJ, why not stop by our Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Here's a template you can use.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7813

[rwc1969]

I'm interested in a foraging hike, but CA would be a big one for me. LOL!

I don't know too many plants, but would be glad to help if you post pics, like you already have.

[crashdive123]

We've got quite a few members in California, some of whom are fairly knowledgeable in wild edibles. Not sure how close they are to you, but if they see this thread, they'll probably chime in.

[crimescene450]

I would like to identify the wild plants I'm finding around our neighborhood, and learn which ones I can eat, how to prepare, which ones are good for medicine and tea.

Would greatly appreciate anyone who could help.

Also, I would like to find anyone interested on foraging hikes ....
.
im not sure how different the plants are, but ill try and cover some basics.

Pines and oaks are easy.
Cattail, raddish, mustard, and some of the more common plants like thistle should be around.

there are plenty of threads here on those specific plants




Miners lettuce

its pretty small (less than 10 inches high), and grows within 50 feet of a stream

it wont be visable right now, but check around during spring.
it was eaten by gold rush miners for a source of Vitimin C
you can eat it raw.
just dont take all the stems from one plant.

http://portland.indymedia.org/media/images/2008/02/371755.jpg


theres somewhere around 100 species of manzanita (a bush/shrub) in CA
they all have edible berries

youre gonna want to look for a plant ID book at a bookstore that is specifically for the area

manzanitas have red bark, and leaves that tend to point upwards

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/rainbow_manzanita6.jpg




i dont know if you have pacific madrone (small tree) around there
but its pretty easy to ID
the fruits are edible, and in my opinion taste a bit like pumkin.

fruits are red, and about the size of a golf ball

look for red peeling bark.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2763177116_3570f77ba1.jpg


himalayan blackberry is everywhere. its invasive
it has thick spikes,
first year growth has 5 leaves.
2nd year has 3

http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_list/2009%20Proposals/images/Himalayan%20blackberry%20for%20web.jpg

theres also a CA native blackberry
the CA species only has 3 leaves, and the spikes are much smaller. more like pins rather than thorns
also CA blackberry is more trailing, where Himalayan is bush-y.


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there are also alot of woodland strawberry (stays low to ground) during june-september

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/images/woodlandstrawberry/woodland_strawberry_lg.jpg


CA bay laurel (big tree) can be used as a spice, (try tearing a leaf, and smelling)
youll confirm you ID by smelling it. its a dead givaway.

http://polyland.calpoly.edu/overview/archives/derome/images/woodlands/baylaurel.jpg


heres a couple sites i use occasionally to get some direction.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_native_plants

http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/plants.htm

http://www.laspilitas.com/classes/edible.htm

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like i said. your best bet is to get a book that covers the local fauna.
theres usually a bunch at the library

also i recromend getting some books on the local tribes.
they often have an entire chapter on the foods they ate.
as well as some other info.
the miwok, and valley yokuts lived in your area.